Description: Danville, known as the City of Firsts and Birthplace of the Bluegrass, is nestled in the heart of Kentucky. Its location on a branch of the Wilderness Road, a trail blazed through frontier lands by Daniel Boone and other like-minded pioneers, allowed Danville to burgeon into a political, cultural, and educational hub in the late 18th century. Danville was settled between 1783 and 1784 by Walker Daniel, for whom the town was named. A series of constitutional conventions that led to Kentucky's statehood in 1792 were held in Danville, and the town has remained an integral piece of state history since. The images in this volume reflect the firsts for which Danville is famous: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, Centre College, the home of famed physician Ephraim McDowell, and more, as well as featuring photographs of everyday life: churches, restaurants, and businesses so fondly recalled by its citizens.
Brief description: Lindsay Merritt, Danville resident and historian, has worked with Centre College, the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the McDowell House Museum, the Danville Advocate-Messenger, the National Park Service, and local historians to bring readers a collection of photographs that illustrate the story of this fascinating City of Firsts.